RESISTpvi collectiveCategory: Call Me

"resist" is a participatory performance work that invites audiences to step up and champion a cause using the ancient art of tug-of- war. Participants publicly wage war one-on-one with the pvi conflict resolution team over a series of contentious issues that have the community divided, using only a 10m length of rope, their physical prowess and the spirit of their own convictions.

Culminating in a series of quick and dirty performances, "resist" necessitates a short period of time on the ground soliciting information relevant to each location. They may include local, global and uniquely personal issues with suggested solutions to resolving each topic. each issue is listed on an oversized scoreboard and individual audience members are invited to select one they would like to wage war over. each contest runs until someone wins/loses. The work can be durational or capped to a time limit with performers working hard to resolve as many issues as possible before their time runs out.

Following the tug of war battles, pvi then deliver the results of our contests to a key civic leader in the community, handing over the official mantle of ‘champion of the people’ for them to implement suggested changes along with a symbolic red satin hero cape. In previous showings this has included filmed performative interventions in the offices of the WA police commissioner, the Lord Mayors of Perth and Junee and the President of Chile.

"resist" is a light mobile work and can take place in a performance / gallery space, patch of grass or a formal public setting.